Adding Air to Tires Inside Wheelpants

[flickroll]

This is a problem on RV's! Back in my Christen Eagle days Christen used an inch and a half steel plate that covered a hole in the wheel pant that was used for adding air. An extension was connected to the tube valve and it was easy to add air...but I cannot find anyone who sells these covers. Anyone have a source? Right now it is a PITA adding air... Thanks

[L.Adamson]

I have a 1" hole than lines up with the stem. Then a 1" piece of PVC about 1/4" long is fiber-glassed to the inside of the pant. A 1" plastic plug from Lowes or Home Depot is painted the same color of the wheel pant. Looks great, and the plug stays, but is removable with just finger pressure.

I use one of those flexable air extentions, and a 10mm socket wrench to remove the multi sided valve cap.

L.Adamson --- RV6A (flying)

[Kyle Boatright]

I have little 7/8" metal snap in plugs I got from the aviation section at Home Depot. They work just fine - they stay when they should and are easy to remove. Add a valve extension from NAPA, and the hardest part is lining up the valve with the hole...

[Caveman]

Originally Posted by flickroll

An extension was connected to the tube valve and it was easy to add air...but I cannot find anyone who sells these covers. Anyone have a source? Right now it is a PITA adding air... Thanks

A lot of people use these. I bought them but have not installed 'em yet. Still trying to decide if I want to.

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...sp?number=VSC2

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...sp?number=VSE5

You can get similar covers at nearly any hardware store.

[Finley Atherton]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

I have little 7/8" metal snap in plugs I got from the aviation section at Home Depot. They work just fine - they stay when they should and are easy to remove. Add a valve extension from NAPA, and the hardest part is lining up the valve with the hole...

I painted a line on the tire with Liquid Paper correcting fluid that lines up with the split in the wheel fairing when the tire stem is adjacent to the hole. There may be something better than Liquid Paper although it seems to last well. I redo the line at each annual.

Fin
9A

[Rick6a]

When used on aircraft, I've always thought plug caps rendered a kinda "cheesy" look. As an electrician in a former life, I can't help but see them best used to plug open holes in electrical boxes. As an alternative to common hardware store parts, I use these tiny spring loaded devices. Held in place with two #30 rivets, they work quite well. Too bad AirVenture is over. Located at the FlyMart, B&B stocks them for $7.50 per. You can still give em a call anyway.

[DarylT]

http://www.averytools.com/pc-1011-12...extension.aspx

Here is an extensition for going thru the hole in the wheelpants.

[Guy Prevost]

I used the same sort as Rick. I bought mine from Spuce here:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ccessdoors.php

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

When used on aircraft, I've always thought plug caps rendered a kinda "cheesy" look. As an electrician in a former life, I can't help but see them best used to plug open holes in electrical boxes. As an alternative to common hardware store parts, I use these tiny spring loaded devices. Held in place with two #30 rivets, they work quite well. Too bad AirVenture is over. Located at the FlyMart, B&B stocks them for $7.50 per. You can still give em a call anyway.

That's why I use the plastic caps. They are light ( in case one drops from 10,000'), and have a smooth surface. Easier to install & remove, than the electrical caps too....

L.Adamson

[N8RV]

Originally Posted by Guy Prevost

I used the same sort as Rick. I bought mine from Spuce here:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ccessdoors.php

Wow ... at $22.75 per, I'm liking the sounds of the plastic plugs a whole lot better!

I think I'll buy a few and paint them to match the wheel pants. If one magically disappears, I'll have spares.